Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday intensified its campaign against street disorder and traffic-related offences with the arrest of 32 suspected members of a group popularly known as “Omotaku” during a coordinated enforcement operation across major roads on both the Island and the Mainland. The operation followed persistent complaints from residents, motorists, and commuters about harassment, illegal roadblocks, and dangerous activities that have increasingly threatened public safety on key highways in the state.
Officials of the Lagos State Taskforce confirmed that the suspects were apprehended at multiple locations identified as hotspots for traffic obstruction and public nuisance. The areas covered during the raid included Apongbon, Fadeyi, Jibowu, Yaba Phase 1, Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba, Surulere, and adjoining neighbourhoods. These locations are among the busiest transport corridors in Lagos, often experiencing heavy vehicular movement involving commercial buses, private cars, articulated trucks, and petroleum tankers.
According to the Taskforce, the operation was intelligence-driven and carefully planned to address the growing menace posed by groups of youths who routinely occupy roadways, extort motorists, and disrupt traffic flow. Residents in several of the affected areas had repeatedly raised alarm over the activities of the group, accusing them of stopping vehicles unlawfully, intimidating drivers, and creating conditions that could easily result in fatal accidents, particularly during peak traffic hours.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, said the enforcement exercise was carried out after sustained monitoring and verification of complaints received from the public. He explained that operatives observed the suspects engaging in acts that constituted serious violations of traffic and environmental laws, including illegally stopping articulated vehicles, petroleum tankers, trailers, lorries, and private cars on active highways. He noted that such actions not only caused severe traffic congestion but also exposed motorists and pedestrians to significant safety risks.
Eyewitnesses in some of the affected areas described scenes of tension as Taskforce operatives moved in to dismantle illegal roadblocks and apprehend suspects who attempted to flee upon sighting enforcement officers. In places like Ojuelegba and Jibowu, where traffic congestion is often intense, the operation temporarily disrupted movement but eventually led to smoother traffic flow once the suspects were removed from the roads.
During the raid, officials said some of the arrested individuals were found smoking substances suspected to be hard drugs and Indian hemp. This discovery, according to the Taskforce, further underscored concerns that substance abuse may be fuelling reckless behaviour and aggression among roadside miscreants. Authorities expressed worry that drug use among such groups heightens the likelihood of violence, accidents, and confrontations with motorists.
The suspects were arrested for offences including causing public nuisance, illegal obstruction of traffic, and endangering motorists. The Taskforce confirmed that the arrests were made under relevant state laws, notably the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 and the Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017. These laws empower the state to regulate activities on its roads and public spaces, with the aim of ensuring safety, orderliness, and environmental protection.
Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to rid the state of miscreants who undermine public order and threaten the safety of residents. He stressed that the enforcement operation was part of a broader strategy to reclaim public spaces and restore sanity to Lagos roads, which are critical to the state’s economic and social life. According to him, no area of the state would be considered a safe haven for offenders, as the Taskforce remains committed to sustained patrols and intelligence-led operations.
Akerele also warned that individuals or groups who persist in violating traffic and environmental laws would face the full weight of the law, regardless of their numbers or locations. He appealed to residents to continue cooperating with government agencies by reporting suspicious activities and traffic-related offences, noting that public support remains crucial to maintaining order in a megacity like Lagos.
The operation, officials said, led to the immediate restoration of order in the affected areas, with illegal roadside activities halted and traffic flow significantly improved. Motorists in places such as Palmgrove and Surulere expressed relief after the arrests, saying they had long endured harassment and intimidation while navigating those routes. Some commuters noted that the presence of Taskforce operatives served as a deterrent to other individuals who might have attempted to engage in similar activities.
Urban safety experts have long warned that unchecked roadside activities pose serious risks in Lagos, where high traffic volume, narrow roads in some districts, and the presence of heavy-duty vehicles create a volatile environment. Illegal stopping of trucks and tankers, in particular, has been linked to fatal accidents in the past, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and continuous monitoring of known hotspots.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving traffic management and public safety through a combination of enforcement, public awareness, and infrastructure development. The crackdown on the Omotaku group aligns with these objectives, reflecting the administration’s stance that economic hardship or unemployment cannot justify actions that endanger lives and disrupt public order.
All 32 suspects arrested during Tuesday’s operation have been charged to court, where they are expected to face prosecution for the offences alleged against them. The Taskforce has indicated that further operations are planned across the state as part of ongoing efforts to curb street disorder and ensure that Lagos roads remain safe for all users.
As Lagos continues to grapple with the challenges of population growth, traffic congestion, and urban crime, the latest enforcement action sends a clear signal that authorities are determined to assert control over public spaces. For residents and commuters, the hope is that sustained operations of this nature will lead to lasting improvements in safety, order, and the overall quality of life in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
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